NC provincial president Rana meets Farooq Abdullah

A delegation of National Conference (NC) leaders from Jammu led by its provincial president Davender Singh Rana on Sunday called on party president Farooq Abdullah who has been released after seven months in detention.

The NC leaders from Jammu called on Abdullah at his Gupkar residence here and the meeting lasted for around half-an-hour, a NC leader said.

He said the leaders enquired about the party president's well-being and discussed several issues pertaining to Jammu and Kashmir.

Speaking to reporters outside Abdullah's residence, Rana said all political detenues should be released so that genuine political activities take place in the Union territory.

Farooq Abdullah is a symbol of mainstream politics of J-K and his release is a welcome step. Our demand is that all political detenues be released so that genuine political activities are started. NC has always believed in democracy and democratic values and its stand remains the same (which is) to make democracy stronger and the party represents the wishes and aspirations of the people of J-K and will continue to do so, Rana said.

Asked about the emergence of a new political party -- 'Jammu Kashmir Apni Party' -- led by former Finance minister Altaf Bukhari, the NC leader said, In a democracy, the more the merrier. But people are supreme and they will decide who will rule here.